Morning journal and courier., 1887-09-21

singular theory, which, to his mind. at least accounted satisfactorily for much that hal | heretofore seemed inexplicable. Said my | friend: 'tIn old times, when it was neces , sary to prove the assent to a written contract of persons who could neither read nor write this was done by affixing their seals. When the Indian makes a contract he does so by word of mouth. sealing the contract which, to redskin, means all things-he shakes hands upon it. This is Q custom with the Indian which is reserved exclusively to ratify his contract, and never, as with us. in salu- tation. When an occasion of importance demands that the chiefs shall come to Wash ington, before starting they repre- sent to their tribes the busi- ness in hand, and state that they will go and see the Great Father, with whom they will enter into treaty. Arrived in Washington, an interpreter presents their case to the Pres ident, who, in good will to show that he Is not above giving a kind reception to the humblest man in the country, advances and proffers his hand. The chiefs are delighted and return to their tribes setting forth that the Great Father has acceded to their wishes, because, after hearing the case, he shook hands with them. If, after execution of 8 contract in the presence of witnesses subse- quently sworn to and recorded, we should then break it so that suit in court was the only remedy to the party injured thereby, the situation would not be more serious hare while the President shakes hands with an h. dian who afterwards does not get or enjoy what he understood would be given by that act of handshaking All of which goes to prove, in conclusion, that the President should never shake hands with an Indian"
 English Thieves and Thieving.
 From Chambers Journal.l
 Although man always looks upon clev- er theft with an air of romance, he never quite realizes the position until the thief or sharper has feeced himself. We are apt to laugh at the misfortunes of man who puts his head out of his cab on foggy day in answer to knock at the window, and finds his hat disappearing in the gloom. Nor do we show more sympathy with the man who collides with another individual in the street, and who, on having his hat, which has fal- len, handed back with profuse apologies for the accident, finds from it's size and general appearance that not many hours before it must have adorned 8 scarecrow. But these incidents in no way illustrate the coolness and intrepidity of the professional thief, who does not usually aim at tri1es.
 At Birmingham not long ago thief was detected in the act of stealing gentleman's watch. In his haste to escape he ran into the arms of detective who had been watch ing him for some time. Naturally the thief must have felt somewhat excited at such Q moment; but if he did he showed no symp- toms of being so. Although instantly se- cured by the unenviable handcuffs, he had the presence of mind to pass the watch un- observed into the pocket of a passer-by. This person was so puzzled to know how he became the possessor of the watch. and being afraid of keeping the gift, suffi- ciently honest to hand it to the police. Another instance of the remarkable cool ness and audacity of 8 thief, though per haps not an uncommon one, is worth Iela- ting. One day Liverpool "stalk"-a man capable of doing mischief of any kind for a trife-having watched his opportunity, took up coat that hung outside a pawabroker's shop. Flinging it over his arm, and carry ing it into the shop as if intending to make a purchase, he offered it for sale. Not rec ognizing his own property, the pawnbroker bought the coat But even this did not sat- isfy the thief. He handled some silk hand- kerchiefs, and in choosing one remarked carelessly: "Take pay for this out of the money for the coat" 'But I have given you the money" indignantly answered the pawnbroker. 70, no, you haven't," said the thief. A warm altercation ensued. In vain the shopman protested that he had paid the money; and at last the thief went out in search of an officer to settle the dispute, taking with him some silver spoons, several silk handkerchiefs, as we'll as the silk hand kerchief in question, which in his excite ment the broker had forgotten.
 Once, for the writer's edifcation, a young lad, not more than fifteen years of age, un- dertool1 to stand in a prominent thorough fare in Leeds and open ladies' satchels as they passed without being observed. He never failed once, but very often succeeded in taking out their purses also, which of course were immediately returned intact It is often argued that if taken from their evil associates many thieves would reform. It is very doubtful; they love their nefarious or gies and their liberty too dearly.